Do You Know?: Rule the World.

Chapter 173 Supporting Her Family, Wei Shuyi Poisoned
"Madam was just confused for a moment. I hope my lord will forgive her. All the mistakes were my fault."

"I failed to properly advise Madam and even helped her cover up the truth in every way. I beg you, my lord, to forgive Madam this time. If you must punish someone, punish this servant instead!"

Wang Ruofu glanced at Sheng Hong and saw Liu Mama pleading for her. Her heart was filled with a mixture of panic and guilt. She gritted her teeth and knelt down as well.

"My lord, I... I really didn't mean to hide it from you, I was just afraid you would be angry..."

Sheng Hong took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in his heart, slowly closed his eyes, and said in a low voice, "I don't know the exact amount of your private savings, but I can guess about 70 or 80 percent."

"You've sunk so low that you have to pawn your belongings. I bet you've been doing these kinds of things behind my back quite a bit, haven't you?"

Seeing that Wang Ruofu had her head down and her eyes were darting left and right, she showed no intention of refuting him.

Sheng Hong felt a throbbing pain between his brows, and pointed at her, "Good heavens, you..."

"My lord... although I have been subsidizing the Wang family, I have never touched any public funds. I swear to God!" Wang Ruofu was on the verge of tears.

"Is that so?" Sheng Hong raised an eyebrow, his voice icy.

"You haven't touched it now, but if you run out of your personal funds and the Wang family comes begging for help again, can you honestly say you won't secretly embezzle them?"

"It's true that you're subsidizing the Wang family, but do you know how much of that money went to the Kang family?"

"Your sister hasn't come to your door to beg for money in a while, has she?"

"A stupid idiot who doesn't even realize it!"

Wang Ruofu moved his lips, but was speechless, not knowing what reason to use to defend himself.

Liu Mama helped Wang Ruofu up and said softly, "My lord, please calm down. Madam did not want to make any extra payments, but the old lady personally cried and complained that she was short of money."

"Madam is easily swayed; how could she bear to see her mother in such a predicament? If she knew that the old lady would turn around and help the Kang family again, Madam would never agree to it!"

"Besides, every time the old lady says she'll return it all in a few days, but Madam..."

Sheng Hong sneered and interrupted her.

"You don't need to make excuses for her. Hasn't she done enough stupid things over the years?"

After saying that, he turned his gaze to Wang Ruofu, "After all, it's your personal money. I shouldn't interfere too much in how you handle it."

"But managing a household is a matter that cannot tolerate the slightest misunderstanding. If you continue to manage the household, I'm afraid one day, my Sheng family will have to change its surname to Wang!"

“Starting tomorrow, send the key to Changbai’s wife. She is calm, meticulous, and knows the rules. She is also more sensible than you.”

Seeing that Sheng Hong's gaze was firm and his face was ashen, there was absolutely no room for negotiation.

Wang Ruofu could only nod, feeling deeply wronged.

"If the Wang family is still short of money, just have your mother-in-law or brother-in-law come and talk to me."

"If I find out again that you've been secretly sending money to the Wang family behind my back, it won't be as simple as just taking away your position as steward!"

After leaving those words, Sheng Hong stood up, gave the two of them a disappointed look, and walked towards the study.

Wang Ruofu collapsed to the ground.

Unable to hold back her tears, she threw herself into Liu's arms, lowered her voice, and choked out, "Why am I so unlucky!"

"If you walk by the river often, you're bound to get your shoes wet. Fortunately, the lady wasn't so foolish as to embezzle public funds, so the lord can't punish her severely."

"But there can't be a next time. We all know very well how the lord dealt with Lin Xiaoniang back then."

"I've noticed that my sister-in-law has been spending much more lavishly lately. I don't believe it's not because of the old lady's help," said Liu Mama earnestly.

While feeling sorry for Wang Ruofu, she also secretly sighed that it was fortunate that Sheng Hong had discovered her today.

If it were delayed for a few more months and public funds were used, that would be a real disaster.

The next morning, Hai Chaoyun took the key to the card, and Sheng Changbai also learned about this from Sheng Hong.

He put on his outer robe and sighed softly, "Mother is confused. Since my maternal grandfather passed away, the Wang family has been declining year by year, and the Kang family is a bottomless pit. How could she possibly manage to get by by secretly helping them out?"

"From now on, please take good care of things in the manor. If you have any questions, please consult the old lady or come and ask me."

"When the Wang and Kang families come to visit again, send someone to keep an eye on them and make sure they don't say anything misleading again."

Hai Chaoyun smiled gently, "Don't worry, my lord, I understand. My mother-in-law is just easily swayed."

"I'll go to Wei Rui Xuan to check on my mother-in-law later, so she won't overthink things and get upset."

"Alright." Sheng Changbai responded and then left with his servant Han Niu.

When Hua Lan and Ming Lan learned that Ru Lan had given birth to her eldest son, they were overjoyed.

On the day of the baby's third-day celebration, everyone prepared generous gifts and sent them to the Wen family residence. Wen Yanjing personally named his eldest son Huaijun.

-

Eight or nine days later, in the Fu Ning Hall of the Imperial Palace.

Qingyun stood respectfully to one side with his head bowed, while the silver charcoal burning in the bronze furnace emitted a faint sound.

At this moment, the heavy brocade curtain was pushed open, and He Hongwen, dressed in a dark green official robe, stepped forward.

He stood tall and straight, with a handsome face and a gentle air characteristic of a physician. He bowed and said, "Your subject He Hongwen greets Your Majesty!"

Zhao Han put down the memorial in his hand and said softly, "Minister He, there's no need for such formalities."

"The Empress Dowager caught a cold a few days ago. You went to Qingshou Palace to take her pulse. Did you come to any conclusions?"

The Imperial Medical Academy has one fifth-rank Director who is in charge of all affairs of the academy, and two sixth-rank Judges who assist the Director in his work.

There were more than ten imperial physicians and imperial doctors, with official ranks of the eighth and ninth grade, and more than one hundred unranked medical practitioners.

The Imperial Medical Academy held a major examination every three years. Those who failed seriously were dismissed from their posts and forced to abandon their descendants from studying medicine. Those who performed well were promoted one rank.

Madam He's family had been imperial physicians for three generations, and she learned medicine from her family since childhood, becoming highly skilled.

Although He Hongwen was only in his early thirties, he had inherited the true skills of the He family and the old lady, possessed superb medical skills, and was well-versed in pharmacology. He had already begun to make a name for himself in the Imperial Hospital.

Many elderly doctors praised it highly.

He Hongwen spoke in a gentle voice, respectfully saying, "Your Majesty, I have prescribed a medicine for the Empress Dowager based on her symptoms, mainly to dispel wind and cold, and to invigorate her qi and spleen. I expect she will be relieved in three to five days."

Zhao Han nodded gently upon hearing this, "That's good."

"I have summoned you here today because there is one more thing I would like to ask you."

"If we intend to wage war against Jiaozhi, the miasma is of paramount importance. Do you have any solutions?"

He Hongwen's eyes flickered slightly, and after a moment of quick thought, he cupped his hands and said, "When my grandmother and I came to the capital, we went to the mountains and forests of Yunnan and Guizhou to collect herbs several times by ourselves, so we know a little about miasma."

"The hours of Si (9-11 AM) and Wu (11 AM-1 PM) are when miasma is most rampant. The main way to deal with miasma is to expel evil and dampness, regulate qi and detoxify."

"A decoction of several medicinal herbs, including Changshan, areca nut, cardamom, and magnolia bark, can provide some relief."

"The book 'Elbow-Side Emergency Prescriptions' also records: Take a handful of Artemisia annua, soak it in two liters of water, squeeze out the juice, and drink it all to treat malaria."

“I tried it when I was in Yunnan and Guizhou, and it was indeed effective.”

Zhao Han raised his hand and touched his chin, saying quietly, "I believe that miasma is mostly spread by mosquitoes and unclean water sources."

Upon hearing this, He Hongwen couldn't help but show a hint of surprise on his face, not expecting that the official in front of him would know these things.

He composed himself and solemnly said, "Your Majesty's words make some sense. I saw with my own eyes in the mountains and forests that there were indeed many tiny mosquitoes in places filled with miasma."

“The stagnant water in the forest also contains miasma. If you accidentally drink a mouthful, you will suffer from abdominal pain and high fever within half a day.”

"When I first went to Yunnan and Guizhou, I experienced it firsthand. If it weren't for timely medical treatment, I'm afraid I would have lost my life far from home." Zhao Han laughed heartily. He Hongwen was a dignified, steady, gentle, and considerate man.

Aside from his somewhat blind filial piety and soft-heartedness at home, he had a very good impression of him.

"When we send troops to Jiaozhi, I plan to select several skilled physicians from the Imperial Medical Academy and distribute them to various camps to closely monitor the soldiers' condition."

"If a soldier develops a high fever and vomiting, he should be immediately isolated from the normal soldiers, treated, and his clothes should be scalded with boiling water."

"Raw food is prohibited. All drinking water must be boiled and stirred a hundred times before it is safe to drink."

"What do you think, Minister He?"

He Hongwen took a deep breath, his gaze darkening slightly.

After a moment, he cupped his hands and said, "I believe it is feasible!"

"If the miasma is indeed spread by mosquitoes, the soldiers should all wear long sleeves and trousers, with the cuffs and trouser legs tied tightly with strips of cloth. At night, they can also burn mugwort and other things outside the tents to drive away mosquitoes."

Before Zhao Han could speak, he continued, "Your Majesty, I am willing to follow the army to the southern border."

"Are you serious?" Zhao Han raised an eyebrow and looked at him with a smile.

"Indeed, to put it bluntly, my understanding of miasma is second to none in the Imperial Medical Academy."

"If I go with the army, I can adjust the prescription in time to deal with sudden illnesses. I beg Your Majesty to grant my request." He Hongwen said, his face showing a plea.

If he hadn't already joined the Imperial Medical Academy, he would have long ago found an excuse to leave for another place and return after three to five years.

Cao Jinxiu and his wife, Cui, were constantly causing trouble and creating chaos. Despite his advice, his mother would always try to interfere.

Because of her resentment over taking Cao Jinxiu into the household, the grandmother never bothered with these matters.

The Cao family clung to the He family like a leech.

He was already physically and mentally exhausted by all of this.

If one could follow the army south, one could both use one's medical skills to achieve great things and find a peaceful life, making it a win-win choice both for public and private reasons.

"Very well, once Guangnan sends back a report, the Imperial Medical Academy can begin preparations."

"Your Majesty, I thank you!" He Hongwen said, then gently exhaled a breath of stale air.

at this time.

A eunuch in a scarlet robe rushed in, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, Consort Sheng says she has urgent business to discuss and is waiting outside the hall."

"Let her in," Zhao Han waved her hand.

He Hongwen quickly stepped aside, bowed his head, and tried to minimize his presence.

Before long, Minglan was seen wearing a light blue brocade dress, with slender shoulders and a delicate waist, her eyes slightly red and the tear tracks on her cheeks clearly visible.

She bowed gracefully, her voice choked with emotion, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects."

"What happened?" Zhao Han asked, somewhat surprised by her appearance.

Minglan raised her head, her eyelashes trembling slightly. "My mother was fine last night, but she suddenly fell into a coma this morning. Xiaodie was worried that something had happened to her, so she asked her aunt to come to the palace to deliver a message to me."

“My young lady has always been healthy; she would never have become like this for no reason.”

Zhao Han gestured for Minglan to come forward, gently patted the back of her hand, and then focused her gaze on He Hongwen.

"Minister He, go to the Duke of Wei's residence. Whether it's poisoning or a sudden illness, you must find out the cause and do everything you can to cure Lady Wei."

Upon hearing this, He Hongwen immediately cupped his hands and said, "Your subject obeys the decree."

After he left, Zhao Han looked at Qingyun and said, "Let Duke Wei and Changbai go back and take a look. I grant them three days off, so they don't need to rush back to their posts."

"Yes, this servant will go to the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and the Ministry of Personnel to convey the imperial decree."

After bowing deeply, Qingyun dared not delay and split up with a trusted eunuch into two groups.

Inside the hall, Zhao Han looked at Minglan and said softly, "Don't worry, He Hongwen's medical skills are superb, and your mother is blessed with good fortune. She will definitely be alright."

Minglan nodded, sobbing softly. In her mind, someone must be trying to harm her mother, especially since Wei Ling was not in the capital.

The only person she could turn to for help was Zhao Han. As for Sheng Hong, once it was confirmed that it was his family who did it, he would definitely try to smooth things over and let it go.

Inside the Tingxue Residence of the Duke of Wei's mansion, the entire Sheng family gathered.

Sheng Hong tiptoed and glanced at Wei Shuyi, who was unconscious on the bed, from time to time. The three-day break was clearly a warning to the Sheng family to handle this matter properly.

About an hour later, He Hongwen frowned, his expression becoming somewhat grave.

"Imperial Physician He, what exactly happened to Lady Wei?" Sheng Hong asked impatiently.

Liu Ge'er cupped his hands and said, "I hope the imperial physician will clearly explain my mother's condition. Whatever medicine is needed, I will find it for her!"

Today, he was practicing riding and archery with his teacher at the martial arts school when he heard that Wei Shuyi had fainted. He immediately asked his teacher for leave and rushed back to the Duke of Wei's mansion without stopping.

He Hongwen glanced at him, sighed softly, and said bluntly, "Judging from the pulse, it's due to poisoning."

"Poisoned?" Sheng Hong exclaimed in surprise. "How could someone be poisoned out of the blue?"

Sheng Changbai and Hai Chaoyun exchanged a glance, and immediately sensed that something was wrong. They quickly ordered Han Niu to close all the doors in the mansion and not let anyone out.

"Yes, how could they be poisoned?" Wang Ruofu asked.

Sheng Hong paused for a moment, then turned to stare at her.

Wang Ruofu took a half step back, her eyes widening in disbelief. "My lord, do you suspect I poisoned you?!"

"My lord, you are wise enough to know what kind of person my wife is."

“She has been staying indoors at Wei Rui Xuan recently, how could she be so cruel to Wei Xiao Niang? I’m willing to stake my life on it!” Liu Mama knelt down on the ground with a thud.

Sheng Hong glanced at them with some skepticism, then turned his gaze to He Hongwen.

"Does the imperial physician know what kind of poison Lady Wei has been poisoned with?"

He Hongwen shook his head slightly, "It's too early to draw a conclusion. We need to start by investigating the food the young ladies in the manor eat."

Standing to one side, Xiaodie's mind raced. Tingxueju now had a small kitchen, and all three meals a day were prepared by their own people; there was absolutely no way anyone would poison them.
She said in a deep voice, "The young lady and I eat the same three meals a day, but I am perfectly fine now."

"Think carefully again, is there any food that seems out of place or came from outside?" Hai Chaoyun stepped forward, her eyes full of worry.

Minglan is currently enjoying great favor, and Weiling is a rising star in the court. This matter must be settled clearly and fairly.

Just as Xiaodie was racking her brains.

Over at Shou'an Hall.

The old lady, who was taking a nap, was awakened by the commotion. She was now half-lying on the bed, leaning against a pillow, with an outer robe draped over her shoulders.

Madam Fang rushed in, panting, and whispered, "Grandma, something terrible has happened! The imperial physician has diagnosed that Wei Xiaoniang has been poisoned."

"Poisoning?" Old Mrs. Sheng was also somewhat surprised by this.

"Grandma, could this have been done by Madam? The only one in our family who has a grudge against Wei Xiaoniang now is Madam."

Grandma Sheng glanced at her and shook her head decisively. "It can't be her. Let Cuiwei keep an eye on things. You old bones, sit down and talk to me for a while."

"Alright, I'm exhausted from running back and forth."

Mother Fang raised her hand to her chest and then tucked the quilt back into the old lady's bed.

(End of this chapter)